The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Penguin Classics)

On the whole, Hearn supplies interesting information with a light touch—possibly too light in the last third of the book...Restored passages not seen in the original appear in the appendices...his liberally illustrated and beautifully designed book offers many pleasures for the general reader.
-Publishers Weekly

This new edition of Huckleberry Finn, based on the recently discovered original handwritten manuscript, is destined to become the standard of this American classic. The volume inclues a discussion by Professor Victor Doyno, President of the Twain Circle and the author of a definitive book about the composition of this great novel, who will also conduct interviews across the country. Illustrations. (Literature)

Samuel Langhorne Clemans, known to most as Mark Twain, has been hailed by many as the father of American Literature. His two most famous works, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), are considered two of the greatest American novels of all time. Twain was born in Florida, Missouri on 30th November 1835. He grew up in the town of Hannibal on the Mississippi River, which would eventually serve as the basis for the place where Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn would live. Twain grew up in Missouri at a time when it was a slave state. After the American Civil War broke out, he became a strong supporter of emancipation, and staunchly believed that the slave trade should be abolished. Though he began as a comic writer, the tribulations he faced in his personal life perhaps served to turn him into a serious, even pessimistic, writer in his later years. He lost his wife and two daughters, and his ill-fated life never really allowed him to recover. Twain passed away in 1910, but he is still one of the best-loved writers around the world.

Publishers Weekly

on
Feb 06 2015

On the whole, Hearn supplies interesting information with a light touch—possibly too light in the last third of the book...Restored passages not seen in the original appear in the appendices...his liberally illustrated and beautifully designed book offers many pleasures for the general reader.

Guardian

Reviewed by Robert McCrum
on
Feb 22 2014

The voice of a new America resounds loud and clear from the first page to the last. Huckleberry Finn, inspired by a prequel (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer) that was for boys, is a book that celebrates the lost world of childhood, the space and mystery of the midwest.

Examiner

Reviewed by Ryan Arciero
on
Jul 04 2011

Due to its classic status and perennial popularity with its readership, this novel is certainly one that has stood the test of time and is just as American as Huck’s adventure is honest and interesting.

Suite 101

Reviewed by Ryan Arciero
on
Jul 05 2011

His adventure is surely a joy to experience for both himself and his readers...The novel is written in a simple and understandable prose that can be comprehended and appreciated by young and old audiences alike...Rediscover that audacious child inside of you as you encounter the book’s colorful characters, scenarios, and locations along the way!

Teen Ink

Reviewed by Hakop N
on
May 29 2014

People were refusing to let of old social and racial custom during the troublesome times of reconstructions. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain successful forces people to face those social barriers and adapt to a new and changed culture.

Teen Ink

on
May 29 2014

His moral development grows through characteristics such as honesty, the value of friendship, consideration of others, responsibility, and independence. These make him distinct and unique from society.

Teen Ink

Reviewed by Ambluth1
on
May 29 2014

...it is (put simply) just a plain story about a young boy and runaway slave. To get any meaning out of it, Mark twain has forced you to dissect the novel...if Huckleberry Finn is considered our greatest novel, well, I think that we should change our taste in literature.

Teen Ink

on
May 29 2014

...a really great book, well written and well thought out. I recommend it to everyone, and even if it’s not interesting you in the first hundred pages or so: wait. This book has been the inspiration of other great adventure books and their authors, and it is no wonder that this book has stood the test of time.

Teen Ink

Reviewed by Samuel9559
on
May 29 2014

...I think if you read it with a mature view point to it you will understand the meaning of the book...I think the really sad part is that he doesn’t know which way to go in life and I think after finishing the book and I think the whole story was about Huckleberyy Finn trying to find the right path in life.

Yahoo! Voices

Reviewed by Graarrg
on
Jul 29 2010

Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn leaves no character unaffected by the damage of slavery. The Huckleberry Finn Jim literally suffers the effects of imprisoning bondage, but it is Huck who is struck by the full heart-rending impact of the illogical and immoral standards of the time.

Yahoo! Voices

Reviewed by Philo Gabriel
on
May 15 2010

...on my most recent reading of this book, I felt myself more aware of other respects in which it doesn't have the ring of truth, how realism is sacrificed, whether for humor or social commentary or whatever.

Readings

Reviewed by Scott Bradie
on
Feb 20 2014

By placing Huckleberry Finn in the hands of a young reader, you’re not only introducing them to one of the finest (and funniest) examples of modern literature, you’re also introducing them to a friend for life.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org

Reviewed by Matt Berman
on
Sep 20 2010

...it's a powerful, and powerfully moving, statement against racism...Despite its flawed final section, when Tom Sawyer reappears and the author reverts to the style of that lighthearted, lightweight book, this remains, more than 100 years after its publication, a book that every teen should read.

The Book Stop

Reviewed by curlygeek04
on
Dec 21 2013

...as a portrayal of life in the South in the 1800′s, this book was very powerful, and I can see why Huck is such an iconic character. I really appreciated with how much he struggled with the societal “morality” of turning in runaway slaves, when that conflicted with his inner sense of right and wrong.

Tiny Library

Reviewed by Sam
on
Nov 06 2013

As you can tell, I very much enjoyed The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. My only real complaints would be that sometimes the stories felt a bit disjointed, almost as though I was reading a short story collection rather than a novel...Even so, it's still a wonderful book and I'd definitely recommend it.

http://bookswithbite.net

Reviewed by Chayse
on
Jun 04 2014

Overall this book proved to be more exciting than I was thinking and that was a good thing. I am excited to get more into classics and expand on my literary genres and see what they have to offer for me.